Scientific Method

I. Difference between a rock and a mineral
II. Prediction/ Hypothesis-

Minerals
Rocks
crystal
not so much luster
one substance
different colors

more than one substance
We think that the water will evaporate, leaving the crystals from the table salt behind. We also think that the crystals will be in the form of squares and/or rectangles.
III. Materials-
· 1 piece of masking tape/ duck tape
· 1 paper plate
· 2 plastic spoons
· 5 mixing sticks (2 needed and 3 extra (opt) just in case they are needed)
· 2 paper cups
· 4 magnifying glasses
· a couple dashes of table salt
· a pot (to boil water in)
· enough water to fill 2 small cups or however many cups there are
IV. Procedure-
Boil water and pour it into each paper cup which should both be each filled with table salt. Use a mixing stick (1 for each cup) to stir both mixtures until you can no longer see the grains of salt. Then, using the masking/duck tape, tape the two (2) spoons on opposite sides of the plate so that both of the spoons’ handles face/stick outside of the paper plate. After that, you fill only 2/3’s of both spoons with the mixture of boiling water and table salt. Let it sit for at least 24 hours. (To get the best results, let is sit undisturbed)
V. Data/Observations-
Salt crystals formed in the spoons. They formed in the shape of squares or rectangles. A perfect square actually formed in one of the spoons.
VI. C.E.R.-
We found out that all of the crystals form in different shapes. Salt happens to form in the shape of a rectangle or a square.


Making Predictions Chart


Rock#
Rock or Mineral?
Color
Texture
Other Observations
1
Mineral
Ivory
a little rough
glassy luster, possibly quartz
2
Rock
tan, light brown, and beige
rough in some places and smooth in some
glassy, looks like it has layers
3
Mineral
brown and black
rough edges but smooth surface
very shiny luster, most likely mica
4
Rock
gray and brown
rough
Has no luster





5
Rock
pinkish tan and black
rough
Some parts have luster, possibly granite
6
Mineral
black
smooth w/ sharp edges
most likely obsidian, very shiny
7
Mineral
ivory and a mix of tan shades
like sand paper; rough
possibly talc, streaks easily
8
Rock
tan w/ a dusty black
rough and bumpy
no luster, looks like its made of many rocks
9
Rock
beige and tan
rough and scaly
some shiny specks
10
Rock
gray, white, and tan
a little rough
“gives” powder when touched
11
Rock
rosy tan
a little rough
also “sheds” powder
12
Rock
gray
smooth w/ a few bumps
might be slate
13
Rock
gold, black
feels rough
looks somewhat like rock #1
14
Mineral
white
rough
might be halite, has some luster
15
Mineral
light gray
rough
has definite luster
16
Rock
gray
rough
thick and dull, might be slate